Fires near Buckeye, Hobbs, Lovington and Roswell
HOBBS, N.M. (AP) -- As New Mexico observes Wildfire Awareness Week, firefighters are busy battling flames in the southeast.
Firefighters are battling a 9,000-acre grass fire that destroyed a barn and an abandoned truck stop after starting south of Buckeye. Strong wind helped push the flames south of Hobbs. Two other fires were also sparked today -- one west of Lovington near N.M. 82 and one near Roswell. State Forestry spokesman Dan Ware says crews were mopping up those blazes by the afternoon. The causes of the fires are under investigation.
State officials say the eastern and southern portions of New Mexico have seen little rain or snow since last fall. Because of this, fuel moisture levels are extremely low, making dense grass and brush susceptible to fire.
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